12 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Oakland
- Peralta-Laney
- Eastmont
- Acorn
- Webster
- Fitchburg
- Hoover-Foster
- San Pablo Gateway
- Hawthorne
- Foothill Square
- South Kennedy Tract
- Fremont
- Arroyo Viejo
1. Peralta-Laney
Peralta-Laney is another one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Oakland. Anchored by Laney College, it's a small community situated about a mile east of downtown Oakland that is made up mostly of academic buildings and residential housing. It's a popular neighborhood for students who want to be in the heart of the action. However, it also suffers from a high crime rate. According to local law enforcement, 85% of crimes in the neighborhood occur on the Laney College campus. The total crime rate is 13,698 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 489% higher than the national average. The violent crime rate is 605% higher than the rest of the US, and your odds of being the victim of a crime are 1 in 8.
2. Eastmont
Eastmont is the worst neighborhood in Oakland due to its crime rate, which is 419% higher than the national average and 139% higher than the city average. It is a highly dangerous neighborhood in southern Oakland with a long history of violent crime. The neighborhood has a population of around 3,000. On March 21, 2009, four Oakland police officers were shot near the Eastmont Town Center, which was one of the deadliest attacks on law enforcement in California history. Property crime is also a problem in Eastmont, with car theft and burglary being common.
3. Acorn
Acorn is also one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Oakland. Acord is located near downtown Oakland and has experienced steadily increasing crime rates since 2020. Acorn has a population of 2,274 people and a crime rate that is 416% higher than the national average. Acorn has seen a sharp rise in both violent and property crime, including shootings, robberies, assaults, and various types of theft. Homelessness and drug addiction continue to be problems in Acorn.
4. Webster
Webster is a violent neighborhood located just outside of downtown Oakland. Webster has a population of 3,681 and suffers from a crime rate that is 414% higher than the national average and more than double the city average. Homelessness, drug addiction, and theft are rampant in this part of the city. Residents and visitors constantly complain of unsanitary streets that are littered with trash and homeless encampments.
5. Fitchburg
Fitchburg is also one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Oakland. Fitchburg is located in southern Oakland near Alameda. Out of a population of 3,052, Fitchburg has a crime rate that is 397% above the national average. The violent crime rate is exorbitantly high, with shootings, homicides, robberies, and assaults being rampant. There were almost 6,600 property crimes recorded during the 2022 year.
6. Hoover-Foster
Hoover-Foster, sometimes called Hoover-Durant, is another dangerous Oakland neighborhood which is located near Telegraph and San Pablo. Hoover-Foster’s population is roughly 4,061, and the area suffers from a crime rate that is 386% above the national average. Violent crime is prevalent in the area, with assaults and robberies being common. Other crimes like theft and drug trafficking are common in the area. Despite this, parts of Hoover-Foster have been revitalized, and the area has attracted many artists and musicians.
7. San Pablo Gateway
Also known as Uptown, San Pable Gateway is located within downtown Oakland. Despite having many restaurants and shops, the area is a hotspot for homeless encampments, drug use, and property theft. With a population of 2,704, San Pablo Gateway has a crime rate that is 360% higher than the national average. There were almost 10,600 incidents of property crime recorded during 2022, with vehicle theft being rampant.
8. Hawthorne
Hawthorne is another one of the worst areas in Oakland for crime. This neighborhood is located in southern Oakland near Fruitville Station. With a population of around 3,744, Hawthorne’s total crime rate is 352% above the national average. The area has struggled with crime and poverty for years, with shootings, drug trafficking, and robberies being common. Homelessness is a major problem in Hawthorne, with many encampments and unsanitary streets in the area.
9. Foothill Square
Foothill Square is a violent neighborhood located in southern Oakland near San Leandro. While violent crime is high, theft and property crime account for the vast number of incidents in Foothill Square. The area has a high transient and homeless population, with drug trafficking, theft, and burglaries being common. Foothill Square has a population of 1,432 residents and a crime rate that is 341% above the national average.
10. South Kennedy Tract
South Kennedy Tract is a dangerous Oakland neighborhood located between Alameda and Fruitville Station. The neighborhood has a population of roughly 1,893 and a crime rate that is 338% above the US average. In 2022, there were 2,491 violent crimes and 12,325 property crimes in the area. The most prevalent types of crime include theft, vehicle theft, assault, and burglary.
11. Fremont
Fremont is also one of the worst neighborhoods in Oakland for crime. Fremont is located in southern Oakland and has a population of 5,600. The crime rate in Fremont is a whopping 330% above the US national average. Residents have a 1 in 14 chance of becoming the victim of a crime. Violent crime is high in Fremont, with homicides, gun violence, and burglaries being commonplace. Gang activity remains a problem in Fremont, with gangs often engaging in drug trafficking and violence in the area.
12. Arroyo Viejo
Arroyo Viejo is another dangerous Oakland neighborhood. Named after the creek that runs through the community, Arroyo Viejo (which means Old Creek in Spanish) is a small residential community in southeast Oakland that's home to several community parks, local businesses, and a community center. Although showing improvements, East Oakland is known to be dangerous, and Arroyo Viejo suffers from a high rate of crime. The total crime rate is 9,645 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 21% higher than the rest of Oakland and 315% higher than the rest of the US. The violent crime rate is 597% higher than the national average, and your odds of being the victim of a crime in the neighborhood are 1 in 11.